Sip and Savour: Best cocktail bars for an unforgettable night out in KL

Nestled in the Four Seasons Hotel KL, Bar Trigona is a symbol of luxury unlike any other in the city. It offers breathtaking views of the Petronas Twin Towers and an awe-inspiring bar area adorned with a reflective mosaic that gleams under floating lights. The bar’s name and cocktail menu are inspired by the Trigona bee found in Malaysia, and the unique honey it produces.

Recently, this top-tier bar has been pushing the boundaries of mixology, creating fascinating tales of taste, texture, and aroma in every glass. Their new cocktails from the Colour Me Curious menu, as described by Head Bartender Rohan Matmary, are designed to stimulate all five senses.

They combines traditional local ingredients like nutmeg, rose apple, and torch ginger with innovative flavours such as miso, saffron, and ube. A must-try is their Iris from the Colour Me Curious menu, a creative, nutty spin on the White Russian cocktail that boasts a vibrant violet hue.

Bar Trigona’s reputation for crafting exceptional drinks from carefully considered recipes that honour local flavours and ingredients is evident in the many awards it has garnered over the years.

Operating hours: 5 PM – 1 AM

(Image credit: Bar Trigona) 

JungleBird, located in the posh neighborhood of Damansara Heights, is a unique rum-centric bar that stands out for its exceptional collection of rum-based cocktails. This bar, situated on the second level of a spacious shophouse, delivers a distinct Caribbean vibe that invites guests to indulge in a relaxed and cosy atmosphere, accentuated by the rattan furnishings. Recognised for its excellence in curating an extensive menu of rum-based drinks, JungleBird has earned a commendable placement on Asia’s 50 Best Bars’ 51-100 list for 2023, securing the 55th spot.

Often referred to by its Malay name, Rumah Rum, which translates to ‘house of rum,’ JungleBird boasts a broad selection of international rum labels, catering to the tastes of both rum connoisseurs and casual drinkers. The bar’s standout offering is the JungleBird, a signature cocktail that masterfully combines Diplomatico Mantuano rum with pineapple juice, resulting in a perfectly balanced and refreshing drink.

In addition to the JungleBird, there are other noteworthy drinks on the menu that are worth a try. These include the Nyonya Business and Klarified Klaiprinha, both of which showcase the bar’s innovative approach to mixology. For patrons who prefer to have some food alongside their drinks, JungleBird KL also offers a selection of scrumptious dishes. Among these, the Cubano sandwich comes highly recommended.

Operating hours: 4 PM – 1 AM (Mondays to Thursdays), 4 PM – 2 AM (Fridays), 2 PM – 2 AM (Saturdays), 2 PM – 1 AM (Sundays)

(Image credit: Instagram/ @junglebirdkl)

Pahit, named after the popular gin pahit drink that was a favourite in colonial Malaya, is the sibling bar of Coley that primarily focuses on gin. Hidden behind a white brick wall, the bar exudes a trendy atmosphere. Its assortment of gin, bitters, and botanicals displayed on the back bar provides a range of flavours that promise to bring joy to all patrons. Interestingly, the courtyard features a neon sign that reads ‘Juniper & Joy’, which perfectly captures the spirit of a bar that specialises in gin-based cocktails.

Pahit offers Gin and Tonics with a variety of tonics and garnishes, and local flavours are highlighted in their home-infused gin cocktails like Calamansi & Assamboi and Jackfruit & Lime. For those who are new to gin and may find it a bit bitter, or pahit (no pun intended), it’s recommended to try any of their fruit-infused G&Ts—especially the Lychee & Ginger Flower cocktail. The lychee imparts a refreshing sweetness to the drink, which is beautifully counterbalanced by the mild spice of the ginger flower.

Operating hours: 5 PM – 1 AM (closed on Mondays)

(Image credit: Instagram/ @barpahit) 

Coley, a pioneer in KL’s cocktail scene, has journeyed from pop-up bars and back-of-shop operations to finally establishing a permanent home in Bangsar. Its ambiance is warm and welcoming, and it’s known for its innovative cocktail creations. The bar remained on the extended list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022, securing the 100th spot. Renowned for their easy-to-drink cocktails, their menu features refreshing highball-style drinks that are perfect for combating the summer heat, such as Gin & Coconut and Vodka & Pear. It’s an excellent way to start your evening, but also don’t forget to try their other spirit-forward cocktails, like the Hanky Panky, a unique twist on the classic cocktail. Coley also offers a selection of hot food that perfectly complements their drinks.

Operating hours: 5 PM – 1 AM (closed on Sundays)

(Image credit: Instagram/ @coleylumpur) 

Recognised at number 50 in the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 list, Penrose is undeniably among the city’s premier cocktail bars. This cosy bar, tucked away in KL’s Chinatown, has a limited seating capacity for just 25 guests, creating an intimate atmosphere. The exceptional team behind the bar, with their experience from some of Singapore’s top bars, ensures every cocktail served is a masterpiece.

The magic behind the bar is co-owner Jon Lee, who creates cocktails based on a five-element liquid structure, focusing on alcohol, dilution, body, flavour, and taste. Using this approach, the talented bartenders at Penrose enhance traditional cocktail styles such as highballs and sours.

However, finding Penrose could be a bit tricky. Nestled next to Wildflowers, its entrance is obscured by a modern, geometric door and window. Inside, the dimly lit, snug space features a lengthy bar and wall seating. Given its limited size, it’s advisable to book ahead.

If you’re visiting, don’t miss out on the Ume Fuji, a refreshing twist on the whiskey highball, or the Xoco Negro, a rich, chocolate-infused Negroni. Another crowd favourite is the Rum Musa, which cleverly incorporates three different distillations of banana – the heart, leaf, and fruit.

Operating hours: 7 PM – 1 AM (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)

(Image credit: Instagram/ @penrose.kl)

Shhhbuuuleee, the brainchild of chef Mui Kai Quan and architect Shin Chang, is a hidden gem housed on the rooftop of REXKL, a repurposed cinema turned lifestyle hub, located above the BookXcess bookstore. To access it, one must navigate through an intriguing maze of bookshelves and ascend several staircases. The effort, however, is well rewarded with a stunning view of the city’s historic heart and a delectable array of East Asian-inspired dishes and invigorating cocktails.

The restobar takes a progressive approach, offering sake, natural wines, and highballs. Their signature cocktails include the Sour Plum, a blend of bourbon, amaro, sour plum, and mint. Another uniquely crafted drink is the Chenpi 10 years, which combines baijiu, aperol, peach, jasmine soda, and roses.

The food menu is equally creative, focusing on East Asian flavours with dishes like quail stuffed with glutinous rice, chestnuts, mushrooms, and duck offal, and an innovative take on Wagyu karubi char siew served with flowers, green peppercorns, and turmeric cream.

Operating hours: 5 PM – 12 AM (weekdays, closed on Wednesdays), 12 PM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 12 AM (weekends)

(Image credit: Instagram/ @shhhbuuuleee) 

Kokomo KL breathes a breath of fresh, tropical air into the city’s nightlife. Drawing inspiration from The Beach Boys, it successfully captures the essence of a tranquil, tropical retreat, offering a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life with its meticulously curated drink selection, picturesque setting and a soundtrack to whisk you away to a beachside getaway.

The bar’s dedication to the tropical theme extends beyond aesthetics, permeating the heart of their menu. Each drink is thoughtfully handcrafted with a diverse range of tropical local ingredients. Notable Malaysian spices and aromatics such as lemongrass, turmeric, ginger and curry leaves are prominently featured in their refreshing cocktails like the Mandarin Curry, Kokomo Gimlet, and Golden Hour.

Moreover, the Cane Cha cocktail is a harmonious blend of rum, sugarcane herbal tea, and vermouth, and the Corn in a Cup is a whimsical concoction of bourbon with Mu Artisan soy sauce, corn, white vermouth, gula Melaka and soy milk. For a perfect end to a delightful evening, Kokomo’s Adult Breakfast cocktail, a mix of gin, papaya, bananas, cinnamon syrup and oat milk, is highly recommended.

Operating hours: 5 PM – 1 AM (Mondays and Tuesdays), 5 PM – 1.30 AM (Wednesdays and Thursdays), 6 PM – 2.30 AM (Fridays and Saturdays, closed on Sundays)

(Image credit: Instagram/ @kokomo.kl)